RFID Shielding

[bigstick509]

I just got my new enhanced drive license (EDL), and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with RFID shielding sleeves. At first I thought it was a bit paranoid, but the state recommends using one. I know that passports issued since 2006 have chips in them but since mine does not expire till 2011 this is the first time dealing with this. Living so close to a international boarder, I thought it would be more convenient to have a EDL for quick trips over the boarder then carrying a passport all the time. As of yesterday you can't get back into the US with out one or the other.
I did order a set from http://www.idstronghold.com

[Kristofor]

My state (like many) is not allowing the EDLs based on exactly your privacy concerns (whether the threat is significant is debatable)...

IMO if they recommend using a shielding device perhaps that's an indication that the technology is suboptimal (if you need to take it out of your wallet anyhow how much time is spent with a magswipe vs. a RFID scan).

[430752]

Yeah, I'm also thinking who auhtorized this? In order to make our ID's more secure, we're gonna make your security less secure. Thought the gov't was supposed to work for us, not put the monkey on us.

[atgcpaul]

Yeah, my wife works for the Fed and she has one of those RFID shields for her
badge. Maybe the data is encrypted?

[dbhost]

My job equips us with RFID badges, and we have those shield sleeves. I have participated in some of the testing, and found tha tmost of them sheild sleeves work as advertised, but some are less than optimal...

[dbhost]

Yeah, I'm also thinking who auhtorized this? In order to make our ID's more secure, we're gonna make your security less secure. Thought the gov't was supposed to work for us, not put the monkey on us.

How on earth did you ever get that idea?

[smorris]

My passports RFID quit working after I accidentally dropped a 5 lb. hammer on it. Sad really.

[LCHIEN]

$20 FOR A PACK OF 5 IS ridiculous, he's trying to get you on FUD.
Back in the 90's we used to have RFID security cards to enter the building - they always set of Target's anti-theft gates at the entrance. So Target employees would come running over and when it was discovered we were'nt actually stealing anything they asked if we had a card reader badge, when we said yes they whipped out a handful of paper cards the size of a credit card and gave it to us and said put this next to your security card in your pocket or wallet and it won't set off the alarms. When we took them back to the electronics lab, being engineers, we disected the shields and found a thin layer of copper grid maybe 1/8" lines criss crossing with 1/8" spacing laminated between two sheets of thick paper totalling about one business card thickness and stiffness.

I saw the video and agree that people walking by can scan your purse or wallet if they get close enough. ANd its a real danger when the cards get in large scale use. The shield should work but shouldn't cost $4 to 20. Probably someone will sell wallets with RF shielding in the credit card section before long.
Sure doesn't cost $4 to make that.

[smorris]

Shielded wallets

You can buy them : http://www.roguewallet.com/RFIDShieldedWallet.html

or make them : http://www.rpi-polymath.com/ducttape/RFIDWallet.php